Three horses for trainer Todd Pletcher arrived at Oaklawn Park Monday afternoon following a flight that originated in south Florida, where they have been based this winter and spring.
Pletcher is scheduled to start Unbridled Mo in Friday's Grade 1 $700,000 Apple Blossom Handicap for older fillies and mares, Hedge Fund in Saturday's Grade 2 $750,000 Oaklawn Handicap for older horses and unbeaten Magnum Moon in Saturday's Grade 1 $1 million Arkansas Derby, a major Kentucky Derby prep.
Unbridled Mo, who has never started at Oaklawn, is coming off of a fourth-place finish in the Grade 3 $200,000 Royal Delta Stakes Feb. 19 at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Royal Delta winner Martini Glass returned to win the Grade 2 $350,000 Azeri Stakes on March 17, the final major local prep for the Apple Blossom.
Hedge Fund returns to Hot Springs after a 2 3/4-length victory in the $300,000 Essex Handicap on March 17, the final major local prep for the Oaklawn Handicap.
Magnum Moon (3 for 3 overall) was a 3 ½-length winner of the Grade 2 $900,000 Rebel Stakes on March 17. The Rebel is the final major local prep for the Arkansas Derby.
Pletcher trains three of the top four horses in qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby, which will be run on May 5 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.
Audible has 110 points following a victory in the Grade 1 $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in Florida on March 31. Noble Indy held off Lone Sailor on March 24 to win the Grade 2 $1 million Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans to get to 110 points. Vino Russo has 107 points following Saturday's victory in the Grade 2 $1 million Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in New York.
Good Magic moved into first place Saturday with 134 points following a victory in the Grade 2 $1 million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.
Magnum Moon trained Tuesday morning during a special period immediately after the renovation break, approximately 10 minutes, designated for Racing Festival of the South horses.
A Southern California-based flight is scheduled to arrive today, carrying, among others, champion Unique Bella, slated for the Apple Blossom; Grade 1 winner and millionaire Accelerate, scheduled for the Oaklawn Handicap; and Rebel runner-up Solomini, scheduled to run in the Arkansas Derby.
Post positions were drawn Tuesday for the Apple Blossom and Friday's Grade 3 $400,000 Fantasy Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
Post positions for the Arkansas Derby and Oaklawn Handicap will be drawn today.
Sports on 04/11/2018